Sandals Royal Barbados vs Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive
Sandals Resorts vs Sandos Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 272 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 5 |
| Pools | 11 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 1971 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 14 |
| Included | 26 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 4 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 22 |
| Included | 18 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 4 |
Pros & Cons
Sandals Royal Barbados
Pros
- The rooftop infinity pool is the Caribbean's first — an evening pool experience with ocean views that's unavailable at other Sandals properties
- All-suite property means no standard rooms — every guest has suite-level accommodations
- 'Stay at One, Play at Two' with adjacent Sandals Barbados effectively doubles dining to 20+ restaurants and 10+ bars
- 15-minute transfer from Grantley Adams International Airport — one of the shortest Sandals arrivals in the Caribbean
- Lovers Lanes bowling alley and craft beer bar are genuine novelties within the all-inclusive format
Cons
- Maxwell Beach is a public beach — other hotel guests and persistent local vendors are present and regularly cited by guests
- Lounge chair competition is consistent: early morning positioning is required for both the main pool and beachfront spots
- Service at restaurants and bars is noted as slower than expected given the pricing — allow extra time for meals
- The scale of the combined Royal Barbados and Sandals Barbados property means it's a larger, more crowded operation than quieter Sandals resorts
Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive
Pros
- The 1968 clifftop location gives genuinely panoramic views of both the Pacific and Cabo Bay from rooms and the Whale Watchers Bar — a visual experience that newer, lower-elevation resorts can't match.
- Downtown Cabo San Lucas is walkable — restaurants, the marina, nightlife, and shops are accessible without paying for a cab every time.
- Whale season (December–April) makes the Whale Watchers Bar genuinely useful — humpbacks breach within visible range.
Cons
- The Pacific beach is not swimmable due to strong currents — this applies to all of Cabo San Lucas beach but surprises guests who don't research in advance.
- The clifftop architecture means some buildings are connected by steep pathways — guests with mobility limitations should ask about elevator access and room location at booking.
- 45-minute airport transfer from SJD is standard but the arrival taxi or shuttle situation in Cabo can be chaotic — pre-book transfers.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandos Finisterra All Inclusive is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.